Yesterday I shared the stories of three leaders from church history who faced experiences similar to Peter and John in Acts 4. I thought today you might enjoy and benefit from hearing how each story ended.
It was a long fight, but Bishop Athanasia, the defender of the deity of Christ, won the theological battle he fought over the deity of Christ. Eventually a church creed was named in his honor, The Athanasian Creed, which clearly declares: The Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God…And in this Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another; But the whole Three Persons are coeternal together, and coequal; so that in all things...the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.
This victory did not come without a price, however. As the political tensions surrounded this argument for decades, Athanasia was exiled no less than five times during the last thirty years of his ministry. Meanwhile, his congregation stayed loyal to him and welcomed him back each time.
Martin Luther’s story is better known to some of us. After his stubborn refusal to recant, for his own safety he was “captured” by his supporters and was hidden away in the Wartburg Castle for eight months. It was during this time that he translated the Bible from Greek to German so that it could be read by the people.
And finally, you remember the story of Polycarp. The ancient historian Eusebius records for us the following. When Polycarp answered, “But why do you hesitate? Do what you want,” the proconsul was amazed and sent the crier to stand in the middle of the arena and announce three times: “Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian..."
Then a shout went up from every throat that Polycarp must be burnt alive…
The rest followed in less time than it takes to describe: the crowds rushed to collect logs and kindling from workshops and public baths…When the pyre was ready…Polycarp prayed,
“O Father of thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to know thee, the God of angels and powers and all creation, and of the whole family of the righteous who live in thy presence; I bless thee for counting me worthy of this day and hour, that in the number of martyrs I may partake of Christ’s cup, to the resurrection of eternal life of both soul and body in the imperishability that is the gift of the Holy Spirit...”
When he had offered up the Amen and completed his prayer, the men in charge lit the fire, and a great flame shot up.
And so it is said of the great people of faith through the centuries, by faith some conquered kingdoms…shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies…Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword….the world was not worthy of them. (Hebrews 11:33-38)
All of them were commended for their faith, in spite of the contrasting outcomes.
Whether God rescues us from the fire or walks with us through it, may we boldly walk in faith today.
This is my prayer today for myself and you.
Your Fellow Traveler,
John
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I meant to write this last week: I confess I called your sister Denise and bragged and bragged on you and your sermon last weekend.
I love seeing you and Joanna at church on Sat nights--it blesses me. Thanks for these reminders of great faith.
Jen Henderson
Yes, I must admit, was hoping to find your "rest of the story" regarding those who have faced some mighty persecution. Growing up, I often heard the story of Peter and his betrayal. I even remember asking how could he do that. As I have aged, I have begun to question less what Peter did and turn the question to myself. How could I have done the things I have done"? I am so thankful for the forgiving grace of our Father and the fact that He has not given up on me!
Thank you for the reminder of what others have gone through and their faithfulness. Thank you for your faithfulness too, you are an awesome example to many of us!
Randall
Thanks from across the street,
Matt
Thanks.
Recently I've been pondering . . . Maybe "taking up the cross daily" isn't so much to carry it somewhere, but to die on it???? Or to be willing to let self die??
Thank you so much!
Susan G.
Persecution continues through today, and like Peter, I would hope I would never deny Him. Oh the frailty of humanity. I don't like pain and suffering, but could I endure? Only my King knows.
Pastor John, what you, by the Holy Spirit, bring out is so deep and convicting.
I pray I can say, "Thank you" and yet I fear the outcome.
"Father, continue to give John and Joanna Your strength, and speak to all our hearts afresh, in Jesus' Name, Amen."
It's about time we got around to writing to let you know that you have been in our prayers this last year. We have kept updated through the Salem Alliance website and while we were at Crown last year, through Josiah.
John - reading some of your blogs has been a huge encouragment to us! God is using you and Joanna!
Since arriving back in Berlin, we have faced some dark days emotionally and spiritually...As I was reading a few of your blogs tonight, I was reminded once again of the things the Lord continues to teach us...believe His promises - hold on tight and don't let go. He IS the light in the darkness. I especially liked your thoughts on accepting today, but striving to make tomorrow better. Good words. Thanks!
Your fellow "journeyers"
Jerry and Shelly Kragt
Many of us have been on the sidelines this past whole year as we've watched you,two, graciously walk through the trial God has allowed in your lives. You have been a teacher to us, not only through this blog, but also through your lives. Thank you. Darlene
Peter didn't think he'd deny Jesus either. Infact he proclaimed he'd die for him! I like Peter and wonder why throughout history we rip on a guy whose shoes we've never walked in.(add the Israelites to that list too...come on, wouldn't we all have grumbled?!...I know I would have). Do I stand for Christ now when my life is not on the line?What on earth makes me think I would stand for Him in the face of death,esp my childrens death,if I show little sign of a willingness or readiness to make a stand for His Name now. I hear His name taken in vain(denied in other words)all the time...what do I do? Do I sacrafice my resources to help organizations fighting for our christian freedoms and the biblical definition of family?Do I get involved?Do I sacrafice my time and energy in prayer for these tpyes of things and the Lost? I am not so sure I should be proclaiming to be ready to die for Jesus if I can't die while I'm still alive....that afterall is the hard part isn't it? I'm not trying to be a downer here...perhaps just at a place in my life where I see my need,my dependance...I really don't have much to offer...nothing to boast about or pretend to be. Without the power of the living God within me each day I simply don't stand a chance...I'm just another Peter...whom God loved and saught out to restore...now that is something I can proclaim!
"God did not rescue the three young Hebrews from the fiery furnace, but in the fiery furnace."
Thank you for reminding us of His presence.
As times here in the US get darker and believers in Christ are beginning to loose some freedoms, the most important thing we can do is to stand firm on HIS truth and seriously develop our spiritual muscles (faith in Jesus, a willingness to suffer, thankfulness, repentance, discernment).
May the love of God and the Spirit of Truth enable us to stand firm.
Thank you for your presence in our lives. Help us to be faithful today to what you have called us to do....no matter how small or big the task may be. Help us to rest in you and the confidence of knowing that you will always help us do what you have ask us to do. Help us not to worry about the future. For those Christians around the world who are expereincing severe persecution, help them to be faithul and know your presence in a life changing way. Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Amen
It is good to praise the Lord...to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night...I sing for Joy at the works of your hands...Ps 92
We rejoice and proclaim Gods incredible,crazy love for you and faithfulness to you John and Joanna! It's been quite the ride this past year...God is indeed in this and God is Good...keep holding on and we'll keep praying! Have a fab-"you"-lous day!!!!
We love you! Sending hugs and smiles...from Mr.Gecko too
I'm so encouraged by the amount of healing Jesus has given you this year! Praise God for His blessing! I continue to lift you up to the Lord for more healing.
Sheri
Hippo birdie two ewe;
Hippo birdie two ewe;
Hippo birdie, deer John;
Hippo birdie two ewe.
Seems to me that this one might be pretty significant!!! (And not just because it's one of those monumental years, either).
Thanks be to you, Father, for this year for the Stumbo family. Lord, I know it's not a year that is mapped with their choices, but it is a year marked with calls and answers to prayer on their behalf. You HAVE been in this, and, Lord, you ARE so very good!
Our love to you all- Leslie and Mike
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family from Waconia, MN!
You don't know us but we are in a small group bible study w/ a couple that both work at Crown & went to Crown as students- Don & Melody (McFadden) Bouchard. They shared your situation w/ our small group. We have been praying for you and I will share w/ them about the article in the Statesman Journal. I felt that the article was well done and that you were honest, real, and best of all I felt that God was honored! Thank you for being salt and light by communicating how God has been w/ you coming through a very tough situation. Please know that I am being challenged & encourged to follow God closer by your sharing.
We are originally from Iowa and have many Stumbo friends there (I believe are relatives of yours). We plan to send the link to your blog and article to one of them we keep in contact w/ that lives in northwest Iowa.
We will continue to keep you in our prayers!
Renae Dunkelberger